Rabobank has advice for hog farmers: be cautious about expanding production next year and focus on productivity.
In general, it expects the global pork markets to hold steady.
But for farmers that spells less profit potential as costs, mainly feed, continue to rise.
Rabobank said:
· The global sow herd is projected to decline in 2026 as many producers postpone expansion despite favourable margin environments.
· Global pork trade has grown modestly but remains under pressure from evolving export dynamics and disease-related disruptions.
· Price dynamics are diverging by region: tighter inventories in Europe and North America are driving price increases, while China is experiencing a steep drop due to efficiency gains and inventory rebuilding.
· Across the board, the priority is shifting from scale expansion to operational efficiency—feed conversion, carcass yield, stronger biosecurity and logistical improvements are now front-of-mind.
